IndustryWeek -- Operations

Hitachi Boosts Battery Output to Ride Hybrid Boom

Manufacturer aims to lift its production capacity to 3 million batteries a month, up from the current level of 40,000.

Cargill Acquires Full Ownership of NatureWorks

Manufacturer of bio-based polymers will operate as an independent company.

June Report Shows Manufacturing Continues to Contract

However, the Institute for Supply Management's monthly index indicates pace of contraction is slowing, and a few positive trends appear.

Airbus Kicks Off Construction on New China Plant

Factory will build components for competitor to Boeing’s Dreamliner.

Anheuser-Busch InBev to Sell U.S. Container Plants to Ball

Factories were focused on soft drink cans. Brewer says it has no plans to get rid of seven remaining beer can factories in the United States.

PepsiCo Opens Green Beverage Plant in China as Part of $1 Billion Investment

Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo Inc. has opened what the company says is the first green beverage plant in China to comply with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

Nissan Says to Begin Production in Vietnam

Automaker will launch its first model assembled in the country by 2010.

Apple CEO Jobs Back at Work

Return follows five-month medical leave of absence.

Dow Chemical Joins Algae-based Biofuel Project

Pilot-scale effort with Algenol Biofuels will be located at Dow’s Freeport, Texas, site.

GM to Drop Out of Joint Venture Plant with Toyota

Production of General Motors vehicles at the NUMMI plant will cease in August.